Abstract
The aim of this paper was to describe the effects of physical activity on management of schizophrenia. A critical review of literature was made and current state of knowledge presented. In line with contemporary research trends and based on available evidence, a panel of experts from the European Psychiatric Association issued a guidance on exercise interventions in the treatment of severe mental illness. Elevated premature mortality rates in schizophrenia patients are linked largely to the effect of antipsychotic treatment, low physical activity, and/or increased somatic comorbidity, mainly of cardiometabolic origin. Physical exercise combined with psychological and dietary interventions are reported to improve parameters of the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular fitness and cognitive performance. Moderate and high intensity training are deemed attractive forms of adjunctive therapy of schizophrenia, adjustable to patients’ age, performance and preferences. Future research and high-quality clinical trials investigating the effects of exercise on early presentation of the disease, its pragmatic efficacy, potential adverse events, financial burden and neurobiological underpinnings could help create specific recommendations for training programs of optimal format, dose and duration.
Highlights
Effects of physical activity on treatment of schizophreniaSummary The aim of this paper was to describe the effects of physical activity on management of schizophrenia
Lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia is calculated as approximately 1 %, affecting mainly young adults between 20 and 30, with symptoms persistent throughout adult life of 30-50% of patients [1]
Apart from symptom-related impairment in social functioning, schizophrenia leads to high hospitalization rates and occupational incapacity, generating socioeconomic burden exceeding that of most widespread somatic conditions, and stands among the 10 most costly diseases worldwide [2], 1Zofia Lebiecka, 1Adam Łopuszko, 1Krzysztof Rudkowski, 1Ewa Dańczura: 1Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland not to mention being one of the leading causes of years lived with global disability
Summary
Summary The aim of this paper was to describe the effects of physical activity on management of schizophrenia. In line with contemporary research trends and based on available evidence, a panel of experts from the European Psychiatric Association issued a guidance on exercise interventions in the treatment of severe mental illness. Elevated premature mortality rates in schizophrenia patients are linked largely to the effect of antipsychotic treatment, low physical activity, and/or increased somatic comorbidity, mainly of cardiometabolic origin. Moderate and high intensity training are deemed attractive forms of adjunctive therapy of schizophrenia, adjustable to patients’ age, performance and preferences. Future research and high-quality clinical trials investigating the effects of exercise on early presentation of the disease, its pragmatic efficacy, potential adverse events, financial burden and neurobiological underpinnings could help create specific recommendations for training programs of optimal format, dose and duration. Schizophrenia, physical activity, aerobic exercise, high-interval intensity training, endurance training
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